It was September of 1994. I was training at a now defunct gym, it was hardcore, called Dynamic Fitness. Such a shame that it went down the tubes….

My friend and aspiring pro bodybuilder was there catching a workout and I told him of my plans to compete in a bodybuilding show for 1995. He said “Train with me, I’m doing the Jersey in April and we can train together”.

I was psyched! Andy was a freak. He was also a former wrestler and we had the same mind set when training: It was ALL out War!

I told him I’ll ask my Mom (hey, I was only 18, ha ha) and see if she can handle cooking 6 meals a day for me. She gave me the green light and it was ON!

I immediately cut out all bread, milk and dairy and it was 6 months out! I wrote down everything I ate, started doing cardio in the early mornings and my training with Andy in the evenings after school was done. I was a Sophomore in College at the time and also coaching Wrestling!

Once you make a decision, you gotta go ALL out on it. I did exactly that.

Andy and I trained like mad men possessed! It was WAR….

Who would be the last man standing?

Heck, who could let alone STAND after a workout, especially leg workouts.

I remember Andy throwing up during a shoulders and tris workout.

We pushed the intensity and refused to finish a set unless it was a balls out effort.

Is this the smartest way to train? NO. I didn’t know any better back in 1994 and 1995, and on the flip side, I was a straight up PSYCHO when I trained.

I was also natural, and I knew that if I was going to compete as a natural bodybuilder, I was gonna have to crush the opposition with my work ethic.

Leg workouts sent my training partners running to vomit every single time.

Heavy squats, heavy leg presses, leg extensions with drop sets and high reps….. It was brutality and we loved having others join us for workouts because our only goal was to CRUSH them and make them quit.

There was NO time to rest, only time to get stronger and bigger.

The gym we trained at was serious. The music was blaring loud and we could barely hear what others were saying, which was great, as it discouraged talking.

The members only understood TWO things:

- train hard

- train heavy

Some of the physiques in that gym still blow me away today. It ALL came through gut busting hard work, intensity, commitment and desire to transform your body into something others only dreamed of.

It was my only time that made me feel like this was THE Golden Era!

After workouts we hung out in the locker room and the older guys told stories of the Freaks from the 80’s were stronger than many geared up powerlifters of todays era.

Deadlifts, Squats, Benching, Clean and Press, Barbell and Dumbbell Rows, Weighted Chins and Dips….. these were all common place at the gym, and ALL HEAVY.

Dumbbells ran up to 180 lbs and YES they got used for dumbbell benching, shrugs and rows.

Cheat Curls with 225 lbs

Flat Benching with 315 lbs and heavier was common place.

Squats with over 405 lbs was a common thing as well.

Rack pulls were being performed on an OLD, York isometric rack – I had never seen these before, but the guys doing them had BIG traps and jacked up backs!

The Days of Thunder continue today at my Underground Strength Gym in Good Ol’ Edison, NJ.

It also looks like my old training partner is coming back.

Stay tuned for more….. this could get scarey….in a GOOD way

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Hardcore Gyms are rare and tough to find. But you and some buddies can create your own hardcore dungeon in a garage or basement, OR, 5 or more of you can pool together and rent a storage garage.

PPS: I suggest you follow The BEAST Program as well. Click HERE to become a BEAST.

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You’ve heard the saying before, haven’t you?

“Walk the talk, Don’t talk the Walk”

I first heard this when I was a young kid, watching that OLD show, American Muscle Magazine. A bodybuilder named Mike Quinn always said it.

Dave Tate calls this “Getting under the bar.”

In a nutshell, you HAVE to represent what YOU tell others to do.

That means look the part and perform the part. Don’t let yourself slip.

It means doing “THE thing” when no one else is watching.

You can only lead from the front.

If you’re a martial arts instructor, don’t allow yourself to fall out of shape, get fat and weak.

If you’re a strength coach, have the ability to perform the movements you preach.

Do you have to be all jacked up and strong, not necessarily, but you should be “fit” and have the ability to go through intense workouts.

Many of my college athletes are much stronger than I am, BUT, I still train the way I prescribe, I have the intensity and the passion unmatched by others, and if I plan to motivate, educate and inspire others to do the same then I better have the cojones to go toe to toe with them.

As I age, I am sure things will change, but, should that be excuse? NO.

The busier life gets, is that a viable excuse? NO.

Last year I worked as a teacher from 9 – 4 PM, then opened the gym from 5 – 8 PM, then worked out at the end of that long day / night, then went home to chill with my wife until she fell asleep, and then I worked on providing videos for you on my Blog….

My night ended around 1 or 2 AM. NO excuses for me.

Being a Warrior is physical AND mental.

Don’t ever lose your edge.

The best way to keep your edge is to keep getting “Under the Bar”.

Push your physical and mental limits often.

Don’t follow others, instead, lead from the front.

Do what the majority will not do.

Get comfortable being UNcomfortable.

Now it’s up to you my friend…..

Make it Happen!

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Feel free to drop a comment below.

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Hope yesterday was awesome for you, whether you enjoyed Thanksgiving or not

I’m inspired to tear up the Underground today, and after lots of great food yesterday, my energy levels are soaring!

This workout was inspired by Dan Cenidoza, a BEAST from Maryland, who was inspired by Dan John for this particular workout.

It’s basic, but NOT for the faint of heart.

The more I write and the more videos I put out, and the longer my Underground Strength Gym evolves, I keep learning…

This is not arrogance.

This PURE Fact.

Most people do NOT want to train hard or engage in the TYPE of work required.

This workout is downright brutal.

But, it’s not for everyone.

1) Clean and Press with barbell:

Reps: 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 8, 5, 3, 2

2) Farmer Walk with Kettlebells:

Take a walk for as far as posisble with the Kettlebells for 10 Minutes.

Now walk them back.

Walking back will likely take longer than 10 minutes

Your traps will be rocked for days so be sure to perform active recovery for the upper back the day of and the days after.

In addition, include restoration such as massage, contrast showers and hot compress.

Good luck!

–Z–

PS: Want more workouts to become a Beast?

This is for the few who dare to enter such a training zone:

http://www.undergroundstrengthmanual.com/beast/

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Dave Draper said it best, “Dungeon Gyms are Heaven”.

Unfortunately, Dungeon Gyms are as rare a finding as is finding Sasquatch.

Check the Video…

Was that gym sweet or what?

I never saw Joe D look so nervous, ha ha

Sorry for the speedy tour, I had to get my ass back to Edison and open the doors to a HardCore Gym.

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Stay tuned, The Lost Secrets of Strength: The Biz Files are coming soon

PPS: I am laying low on holding my own Underground Strength Mentorships in groups, and taking 1 on 1 or business partners on individualized coaching instead (e mail me if you’re serious and want in).

But… Elliott Hulse is hosting the final Underground Mentorship in Florida, December 5th. If you wanna learn how to start your biz, click HERE for more info.

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An inside look at Joe DeFranco’s kitchen and how a busy man eats.

Lots of supplements and Lots of caffeine….check it kids….

The journey gets crazy now that we’re leaving Joe D’s pad….

Stay tuned!

–Z–

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More info on how to organize your day to day and year to year business information.

A little inside look at Joe DeFranco’s MeatHead Kitchen.

This is golden info that I wish I had when I was starting out!

I keep a filing cabinet in my gym and a filing cabinet in the home office.

You need to organize EVERYTHING by category. Check with your accountant and see what he / she tells you to do.

Episode # 5 Coming Up….

–Z–

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Ever wondered what Joe DeFranco has in his office?

You’ve seen my office, now it’s time to see what Joe D has on his book shelf….

What did you think of that library and our stories of OLD!?!?

Got any training or business books you wanna add to the library? Drop a comment and let us know.

Peace!

–Z–

PS: First week of December Joe D and I will be releasing The Lost Secrets of Strength: The Business Files. 2 hrs on DVD and 55 minutes on Audio CD. You will LOVE it if you wanna run your own warehouse gym!

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Lots of talk here with Joe DeFranco and I talking business, training inspiration and motivation, organization and Hilarious times….

Stay tuned for Episode # 3….

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Joe D and I recorded our Lost Secrets of Strength Seminar, it was downright awesome, you can see more info HERE

PPS: Here is the DVD Set I gave Joe, Kettlebells for Comabt, more info HERE

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I am speechless with how to even explain what has happened here….. So many e mails asking me to talk about my mindset to leave a BIG job behind, how I support my family through the gym and internet and who my biggest influences have been in learning business.

In the next few episodes you’ll get some insight into my business mind and Joe DeFranco’s business and training mind.

Most of all, these videos are NOT just about the Business Mind, they are about the WINNING MINDSET, I highly recommend you watch them as mindset applies to LIFTING and LIVING!

In the last Blog you saw your previews for our upcoming Lost Secrets of Strength” The Business Files, slated for release the first week of December.

This is long stuff, so definitely whip a protein shake for these 2 bad boys…. Take some notes!

Till the next time….

More MeatHead Cribs coming tomorrow…

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Questions or comments, drop em’ below. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

PPS: If you want to learn the business and training systems that I use to grow my business and leave my job and do what I love with a family, then check out the up and coming Underground Strength Coach Mentorship in Florida, Dec. 5th.

Click HERE for more info

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Lots happening here at Underground Central…..

Joe DeFranco and I have finished our ‘Lost Secrets of Strength: The Biz Files” and will be announcing the release shortly.

Expected release time is early December, so tell your loved ones that you KNOW what you want for the Holidays

Joe and I held a closed door meeting at my gym and answered 2 hours of business questions, from there, we hopped on the phone and answered another hour of business questions.

You’ll get 3 hours of answers and advice from our in the trenches experiences, ranging from our days of training from our trucks, garages, small gyms and tons of other priceless info that will give your business the FIRE you need.

You’ll get TWO different views on business and life, coming from our opposite beginnings as well as one view from myself being marrried with children, leaving my 94 K job behind and Joe starting from his truck and a storage closet, being without children which is a different ball game.

Our 2 different point of views and business experiences will give you guys awesome insight to go out and kick ass in your journey through the world of building your very own training business according to YOUR rules

LIFT STRONG

I am frequently asked How AND Why I hold the annual fundraiser at My Gym for LIFT STRONG. Here is How and Why plus tips on how you can hold your very own fundraiser.

Highlights from Last Summer’s LIFT STRONG Fundraiser at The Underground Strength Gym

I hope this Video gave you ideas on how You can “Pay it Forward”.

If you have questions or comments, please drop a line below.
Peace!

–Z–

PS: I’ve got some crazy videos coming soon….stay tuned for Meat Head Cribs! You’re gonna love it!

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